My Dog ​​has Mange. What Should I Do?

The mange is a relatively common disease in dogs and other pets, such as cats. Treatment is simple but should be done quickly to avoid complications that could be fatal. Humans can also suffer from it, but then the disease is referred to as “scabies”.

This disease is caused by mites. The most common form of infection is direct contact with an infected animal.

At the slightest suspicion of mange symptoms, you should go to the vet, not only to get a correct diagnosis, but also to identify the causative mites and apply the  correct treatment. 

How to identify mange

Mange can be identified by a variety of symptoms, many of which appear early on:

• Itching and burning sensation on the skin: Dogs begin to scratch compulsively, owners often mistake the symptoms for a flea attack. They can be so distressed that they rub against walls, the floor, or other objects.
• Redness or inflammation of certain areas.  First sores and then ulcers appear. These are not only caused by scratching, but also by the mites on the animal’s skin.
• Hair loss: The affected areas are completely exposed, there is no more fur.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss:  General malaise leads, among other things, to the affected animal showing loss of appetite. The direct and immediate consequence is the loss of weight and muscle mass.

• If the disease spreads and is not stopped promptly, it won’t be long before the affected areas show rashes, flakes of skin, odor, dehydration, and thick scabs. It should be avoided at all costs for the disease to progress this far.

Prevention, key factors

Infection cannot always be avoided, but various preventive measures can at least reduce the risk.

Here’s how you can minimize the chances of contracting mange:

• Appropriate nutrition:  In demodicosis or mange, mites ( Demodex canis ) nest on the skin and in the fur. If the dog is poorly nourished, microorganisms have an easy time of it. A strong, healthy dog ​​is less likely to get mange.
• Regular visits to the vet and compliance with the vaccination calendar and deworming: Pets should make regular doctor’s appointments. Many diseases that are in the early stages, imperceptible to the naked eye, can be detected through routine examinations.

• Hygiene and cleaning: Dogs should also have a bathing schedule (vets can advise on regularity and grooming products). Like their owners, they must live in a clean and healthy environment.

What to do if prevention is not enough

There are a number of home remedies that can bring relief to the animal. However, the actual treatment must be done by a veterinarian, home remedies can only relieve certain symptoms but not cure the dog. 

• Apply oils to the affected areas: it can be olive, lavender, or almond oil. This prevents the mites from spreading and at the same time supplies the skin with moisture.

• Lemon: cut into slices and gently apply to the affected area to disinfect the skin.
• Mixture of garlic and lemon: The disinfectant ability of lemon is combined with the healing properties of garlic. To make the tea, you need to finely chop 40 cloves of garlic, crush one lemon and add 4 liters of water. Boil everything, let it cool, and then apply it liberally to the affected areas of the animal.
• Aloe vera tea:  Applied to the dog’s skin, this home remedy is effective against the spread of parasites.
• Honey:  Another natural remedy that can be applied directly to the affected skin and is very beneficial for the animal. However, the honey should not be on the skin for too long. Remove it with water to avoid attracting ants.

• Adhering to the Routine:  Although the dog should remain isolated during recovery, it is important to try to adhere to certain aspects of the daily routine so as not to frighten the animal and prevent it from becoming depressed. This includes games, cuddles and the daily walks.

Some of the mange variants can be transmitted to humans, so it is very important to protect the hands with latex gloves when dealing with the patient .